Medical Travel Today

THIS WEEK IN MEDICAL TRAVEL TODAY
Volume 3, Issue 11
by Amanda Haar, Editor

Either because of or in spite of current economic conditions, medical tourism continues to be a growing industry.

In the last two weeks we received news of established companies partnering to bring more options online to consumers, others expanding their line of offerings, and even entirely new businesses being launched (see INDUSTRY NEWS).

A recent Gallup Poll (also under INDUSTRY NEWS) only serves to confirm growing consumer interest in options abroad. Citing a "sizable minority of Americans view the healthcare diagnosis and treatment available beyond national borders as something they would consider using," the poll concludes that "if strides in insurance reimbursements, overseas hospital quality, and affordability continue, it will be an increasingly attractive option for Americans."

Another type of poll on the subject took place on CNN's Cafferty File when host Jack Cafferty asked viewers if they'd be willing to travel abroad for care. Their mixed responses can be found under PERSPECTIVES.

Editor's Note: In this week's PERSPECTIVES column we offer the opinions of the American public via CNN's Cafferty File. On May 19, the show's host Jack Cafferty asked his audience "would you be willing to travel abroad for healthcare?" The responses were mixed with some viewers adamantly opposed and others showing themselves to be staunch believers and, in some cases, repeat customers of care abroad.

Editor's Note: When considering medical travel destinations, China is not a country name that immediately comes to mind. However, if the folks at China Connection Global Healthcare have anything to do with it, that will change.
Started in 2006 by Ruth Lycke after she visited the country for treatment as a stroke survivor, China Connection Global Healthcare has quickly grown to include a network of seven hospitals, a dozen employees in both the U.S. and China, and has successfully provided care to patients from around the world.
In addition to a unique destination and access to traditional Chinese medicine, China Connection also provides hands-on help with client insurance matters. CEO David Mair brings extensive international insurance expertise to each case, making an already- affordable option even more reasonable.

Medical Travel Today recently spoke with company Lycke and Mair about their company and approach to care.

Medical Travel Today (MTT): Ruth, as I learned from your website, your reasons for starting China Connection came from personal healthcare crisis and experience. Can you tell us about that experience as well as what you were doing professionally prior to the experience?

Ruth Lycke (RL): My professional experience is deeply rooted in medical care. I’m trained as a nurse, worked as a paramedic, and operated a medical clinic. In 2001, when my stroke occurred, I was working as a professional trainer and speaker with the American Speakers Association. Then, at 42 years old, I suffered a brain stem bleed, the most severe form of stroke. It left me with no feeling on my right side. I had both motor and cognitive issues, as well as double vision. I couldn’t move well, I couldn’t think clearly, and I couldn’t work. My life was greatly compromised.

After three years of therapy, I was making some progress but not very much. Like many stroke survivors, my doctors were saying that was the best I could hope to achieve. At the same time, I had two exchange students from China living with me. They watched me really suffering and struggling and, in time, suggested I go to China for care. They were saying that this, my post-stroke condition, was something they treated there.

To make a long story short, I did go and in a matter of five months got my life back. My motor skills improved, my cognitive function improved, and I now have singular vision. I truly got my life back.

After that experience, I began taking other people to China for stroke recovery. Not as a business venture, mind you, but rather because I so wanted them to get their lives back.

I did this for quite some time and then all of the sudden it started to grow and I realized I needed help. I actually ended up having a conversation with one of the businessmen I had helped. He pointed out to me that based on my healthcare background, my personal recovery experience, and my passion, I was uniquely qualified to turn what I was doing into a viable business. So in 2006 I incorporated what is now China Connection Global Healthcare.

In setting up our network, which now includes seven world-class hospitals, I relied on my background as a nurse and clinical manager to help me discern who was the best of the best. As interested as I am in making the business grow, I'm even more interested in outcomes. I wanted to work only with institutions that provide the best in care.

In China, relationships mean more than anything else, even in business. You need have a solid relationship before you can develop a partnership. For China Connection, the relationship began with my time as a patient and expanded into the business. Fortunately, I am very much on the same page in terms of the approach to care that I wanted to provide clients and that they are able to offer.

In China there's an expression: “big ren shi shang di.” This translates in English to "the patient is god." This patient-centered approach is how they view and deliver healthcare. I'm not sure you could get much further from the American approach which tends to view the physician, not the patient, as dominant. And it's totally what I was after.

Through discussions and meetings we were able to develop relationships with seven hospitals: First Teaching Hospital of TCM, TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, EverCare, Aimin Weight Loss Hospital, Sir Run Run Shaw, and, most recently, Wu Stem Cell Medical Center (see press release under INDUSTRY NEWS).
At this point, we now employ 12 people based both in the United States and in China. With the opportunity in front of us, we expect that may double within a year.

MTT: How is your approach to medical travel different from what others offer?
David Mair (DM): Our approach to Destination Healthcare™ is different from other facilitators by virtue of the way we integrate with insurance and medical reimbursement.

For a long time insurance companies have had the role of being adversaries to patients seeking reimbursement. It's not a role they've enjoyed. With my insurance background and Ruth's expertise we're looking to change that role from adversary to health advocate. And it works for everyone…
We have the ability to integrate a Health Savings Account to minimize the end out-of-pocket for the patient, which is critically important.

We work with client throughout the entire experience to make sure they are maximizing their coverage.

Today, I'm literally waiting on copies of insurance policies from two clients, one current and one pending, to evaluate what their policy covers and to assist one with an appeal.
There are other facilitators that allude to working with insurance companies but based on my prior background, I'm not aware of any company diving into the insurance side of things at the level we're doing it.

MTT: I imagine this has great appeal to employer groups.
DM: Definitely. Currently we're working with three sectors of the business-to-business area.

The first is employer group health plans. In particular we're focusing on self-funded plans where we believe we can help stabilize and improve claims loss-ratios. Cost shifting between employer and employee has gone about as far as it can, but it’s akin to moving the deck chairs anyway. Destination healthcare offers a way to change the cost structure, reducing the overall expenses and allowing employer group plans to hold on to those important dollars.

We're also working with frontline insurance carriers where we believe we can make significant differences. For example, for every 100 stroke cases, and after insurance negotiated discounts, we can save about 1.8 million dollars. That's significant and it's completely doable.

Another interested area is the stop loss and reinsurance carrier community. They're the ones that really need to recoup. Stop loss carriers are the ones that pay the BIG claims. Things like $100,000+ claims for individuals. When we can reduce that $100,000 to $15,000, they win, the insured group wins, and the individual wins.

MTT: What percentage of your patients are US-based and how might that be changing?
RL: I'd say 95% of our clients are US-based with some out of the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Germany, and Singapore.

Our original patient base was made up primarily of stroke survivors. Now we're beginning to see an uptick in the number of patients interested in cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, internal medicine and stem cell therapy.
DM: Let me add a little more on the appeal of China.

Although it's not a widely known destination for health care, you can truly get phenomenal care at the right price. There are some outstanding public and private hospitals, including three in our network that carry World Health Organization designations as International Centers of Medical Excellence. These and others in our network are supporting students from U.S. medical schools. What surprised me when I joined China Connection earlier this year was the extremely low rates of complication and infection seen in the hospitals. It beats what we experience here by a rather wide margin.

The cost of living in China and the current exchange rates also contribute favorably for American patients. It translates into a cost for care at 10-15% of the U.S. cost. Plus, there's the issue of availability. In the U.S. you might wait five weeks to see a specialist. In China, you're seen within three to five days.

And in comparison to other destinations, China does not have the same infrastructure or security issues that one might face elsewhere. It's truly a first-world country which means care is delivered at a high level and there's really very little cultural adjustment for clients. In fact, most are surprised by how widely English is spoken. China is actually projected to be the world's number one tourist destination in 2014.

MTT: How big is the traditional Chinese medicine appeal to your clients?
RL: It's big. For over 50% it's definitely one of the things they are seeking. Worldwide there's really been a huge influx in alternative medicine. We’ve come to understand the benefits of blending modern technology and techniques with centuries old techniques to achieve premier medical outcomes.

Part of the challenge with TCM is keeping it effectively a part of the aftercare program for our patients. Having experienced the best in TCM while receiving care in China, we want them to be able to maintain that care on their return. To that end, we’re building an aftercare network of high quality TCM providers in the US to support care for people both before and after their medical experience with us.

The network will be reached via a new specialty website, TCMmd.com. The network is designed to identify providers of TCM who meet similar training and competency requirements as our providers in Beijing and Tianjin. Unlike the all-comers sites available now, TCMmd screens out those with only minimal training who hang a shingle as an acupuncturist in favor of experienced, highly trained practitioners.

DM: One thing very important to our company practice is to make sure all patients have access to integrated care throughout their experience — from their initial inquiry, to their travel, and return home. This site will help ensure that.

RL: The decisions we make, be it a new partnership or a new website, are made with the goal of doing the best by our clients. This job, if I can even call it that, is my passion. I feel like I've found what I was meant to do. And that's to help people heal. I've been there —as both a patient and a practitioner—and I believe that what we're doing can make a huge difference for significant number of people.

DM: I echo what Ruth is saying. For us it’s a business of heart and faith. Just this morning we were on the phone with husband of one of our patients who is currently in China. She suffered a brain injury just over a year ago in a motorcycle accident. This morning, for the first time since the accident she reached up and put her arms around her husband's neck yesterday. He told us how they used to lay on the couch and she'd pull on his goatee. She did that yesterday for the first time in over a year. That's a result of the care she's getting and that's why we do what we do. It's work worth doing.

About Ruth Lycke
Ruth Lycke founded China Connection Global Healthcare in 2005 and today serves at its President and CEO. She is a veteran in the healthcare industry and a pioneer in the field of Destination HealthCare™. She brings a unique personal and professional experience to her role, having been on both sides of the patient’s bedside, first as a surgical technician, paramedic and nurse and later as the first American stroke survivor to seek destination medical care in China.

She is the author of two books: Out of the Darkness and into the Light and Hope, Help and Healing: Traveling for Treatment in China.

About David Mair
David Mair joined China Connection Global Healthcare as its Chief Operating Officer in January 2009. A 20-year veteran of international risk management, benefits and insurance, David previously served as Chief Risk Officer and Director of Client Relations for MEDEX Global Group. MEDEX is a premier provider of emergency medical and security-related services for international corporate and individual travelers. He also served as the Director of Risk Management for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), as President of Risk Excellence, a strategic risk and leadership consultancy with an emphasis on governmental and nonprofit entities, and as the president of the Risk and Insurance Management Society.

Wu Stem Cell Medical Center Joins China Connection Global
Healthcare’s Destination HealthCare™ Network

Marshalltown, Iowa, May 27, 2009 / China Connection Global Healthcare, the pioneering leader in destination healthcare, today announced the addition of Wu Stem Cell Medical Center (“WSCMC”) in Beijing to its Destination HealthCare™ network. Dr. Like Wu, M.D., Ph.D., Managing Director and Chief Neurologist of WSCMC and China Connection Global Healthcare CEO Ruth Lycke announced a long-term working agreement under which China Connection will become the exclusive partner for patients from outside China being admitted to WSCMC.

Wu Stem Cell Medical Center is committed to advancing research and providing definitive diagnosis and treatment for a diverse community of patients with complex neurological diseases. The staff, led by Dr. Wu and Dr. Xiaojuan Wang, M.D., Ph.D., Deputy Director of WSCMC, has successfully treated over 800 patients suffering from neurological conditions. The hospital utilizes neural, hRPE and adult stem cells in its work. In addition to stem cell treatment, WSCMC provides patients with physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and traditional Chinese medicine treatment as part of its comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation programs.

Ruth Lycke added, “Regenerative medicine and research open new possibilities for patients with neurological diseases and injuries. We’ve known Dr. Wu, Dr. Wang, and their team for several years, and the positive outcomes they have experienced place them at the forefront of their field. We look forward to providing our members with access to the hope, help and healing WSCMC offers.”

“We’re pleased to join with China Connection Global Healthcare,” said Dr. Wu. “They share our commitment to excellence and to ensuring each individual is in control of decisions about his or her medical care. They also understand the medical needs and concerns of international patients and offer an unparalleled level of patient service.”

WSCMC doctors and research staff have collaborated in stem cell research projects, including a collaborative project between Dr. Wang and Johns Hopkins Medical Center in the United States, and have published over 100 articles in medical journals across the globe.

About China Connection Global HealthCare
China Connection Global HealthCare (CCGH) arranges premier medical care at affordable costs for individuals, employer groups and insurance companies. CCGH enables its clients to receive Western and traditional Chinese medical care through a network of world renowned, accredited hospitals at rates 80-90% below those charged in America. CCGH’s unique Destination HealthCare™ programs coordinate with insurance and medical reimbursement benefits and provide on-site patient coordination and service. Since 2006, CCGH has assisted hundreds of people from the US, Canada, the UK, India, Australia and Japan in finding the care they needed.

The May 21 issues of Forbes.com featured a story on the growing trend of Americans traveling abroad for stem cell therapies. The story, Medical Tourism's Most Distant Outpost can be viewed by clicking here.

Medeguide and Patients Beyond Borders to Collaborate in Featuring Global Healthcare Options Online

Partnership creates single-source solution for leading medical destinations, doctors and treatment packages

Bangkok, Thailand, 25 May 2009: Patients Beyond Borders, one of the most recognized names in the medical travel industry and the go-to consumer guide to obtaining affordable, high-quality healthcare overseas, has agreed to be a content partner for Medeguide, a new Web portal for international medical tourism.

Set to launch June 30, 2009, at the Healthcare Travel Congress in Singapore, Medeguide will provide site visitors with a directory of doctors and treatment packages available at leading U.S.-accredited hospitals around the world.

Patients Beyond Borders will develop content for Medeguide's “Destinations” section, which includes information for prospective patients about popular medical travel destinations throughout Asia, Latin America, and the European Union (EU).

This joint effort brings together two medical travel industry leaders: Ruben Toral, founder and CEO of Medeguide, is the former group marketing director for Bumrungrad International Hospital and president of the International Medical Travel Association. Josef Woodman, author of Patients Beyond Borders, is an industry veteran with extensive publishing, healthcare, and Internet experience.

The collaboration will provide healthcare consumers with robust information on international medical tourism destinations, leading hospitals and physicians, and treatment packages. “This is a perfect fit,” comments Mr. Toral. “Through this partnership, Medeguide now offers visitors a one-stop source of information that enables them to easily search and find the right destination, doctor, and treatment.”

For Mr. Woodman, the online collaboration with Medeguide is a natural extension for Patients Beyond Borders. Its international Second Edition and several country-specific titles are the world’s bestselling series on medical tourism. "We like the Medeguide model," says Mr. Woodman. "This partnership broadens our online offerings to patients and helps healthcare consumers form early connections with some of the best doctors in the world."

About Medeguide
Medeguide (www.medeguide.com) is a Web portal that helps patients connect with doctors online and provides doctors and hospitals with an Internet platform to promote their services and treatment packages. Scheduled to debut June 30, 2009, Medeguide will feature profiles of leading international hospitals, doctors, and treatment packages.

About Patients Beyond Borders
Patients Beyond Borders (www.patientsbeyondborders.com) is the bestselling consumer guide to medical tourism. Its imprint, Healthy Travel Media, based in Chapel Hill, N.C., publishes books, eBooks, and Web-based consumer reference information on medical and wellness travel. For more information, please contact Judy Orchard, jorchard@healthtraveler.net

Gallup Reports “Americans Consider Crossing Borders for Medical Care”

A recent Gallup poll reveals that up to 29% of Americans would consider traveling abroad for medical procedures routinely performed here in the United States. Not surprisingly, the poll, released on May 19, showed an even greater willingness to travel for care among those Americans currently without health insurance.

To read more, click here.

from the Jordan Times
AMMAN - The global economic crisis that has affected world countries did not seem to touch one sector in the country - medical tourism -- according to industry leaders.

Considered one of the main contributors to the national economy, medical tourism brings in revenues that reach $1 billion annually; it also has been witnessing a yearly steady increase of around 10 percent of foreign patients, Private Hospitals Association (PHA) president Fawzi Hammouri told The Jordan Times in an interview.

A study conducted by the PHA shows that 210,100 patients from 48 countries received treatment in the Kingdom last year, compared to 190,000 in 2007.
For the complete story, click here.

Qatar, Japan, and England Targeted for Thailand's Medical Tourism
Qatar, Japan, and England Targeted for Thailand's Medical Tourism
Bangkok, Thailand (PRWEB) May 19, 2009 -- Earlier this month, H.E. Panich Vikitsreth, vice minister of Foreign Affairs, Thailand, visited Doha to participate in the 9th Doha Forum on Democracy, Development & Free Trade. During the Forum, Vikitsreth called on Qatar’s prominent economic figures to establish networking in light of a planned visit of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on bilateral cooperation and Thai economic stimulus packages.
Among the key areas of cooperation, medical tourism and food security topped the list of Qatar's interest as both are the most well known fields of expertise and advantage to Thailand.

Following the economic crisis caused by political unrest in recent years, Prime Minister Vejjajiva is using medical tourism, among many other selling points, to target more visitors to revive Thailand's tourism industry. Personal visits and road shows at various countries around the world have been made to help gain trust among foreign travelers that Thailand is as safe and fun as ever.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Royal Thai government has agreed to exempt the fee for tourist visa applications for a three-month period, effective until June 4, 2009.

"The potential for the tourism industry can be expanded even more with special programs focusing on tourism, such as eco-tourism, medical tourism, and sports tourism," said Prime Minister Vejjajiva in a keynote speech. "We are restoring confidence and moving Thailand forward in trade, investment and tourism in Tokyo, Japan.

"We are also focusing our attention on developing Thailand as a medical tourism hub for high-quality, low cost health and medical services. We are equipped with many world-class facilities to make us a leading meetings, incentives, and conventions center," the Prime Ministeradded, during his speech at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, in March.

"Amazing Thailand … Amazing value." As the country aims at becoming an international medical hub, the quality and the services have improved a great deal, yet the prices remain relatively low compared to other countries. Plastic surgery in Thailand is a third to half the cost it is in the United States, Europe, or Australia. For example, a breast augmentation procedure in the United States costs between $3,000 and $8,000, while in Thailand, the Website of Bangkok Plastic Surgery Clinic (http://www.bangkokplasticsurgery.com) quotes the price at $2,600. Reassignment surgery in the United States can cost between $10,000 and $20,000, but the same website says it costs only $8,500 in Thailand.

In 2005, the number of foreign patients arriving in Thailand topped one million and reached 1.4 million in 2006. The country has set a target of 2 million medical tourists by the year 2010 and the annual growth rate has been around 14 percent.

Sai Medical Group Now Offers Fully Inclusive Weight Loss Surgery Packages for India

Obesity is one of the biggest health hazards in America and more and more people look to weight loss surgeries. While a surgical weight loss procedure in the United States or the United Kingdom can cost over $15,000, in India surgeries like gastric bypass can be performed at a lower price of $7,000 USD with all inclusive requisites, no waiting time, and with comparably high-quality facilities and physicians.

New York, NY, May 16, 2009 --(PR.com)-- It was never this easy, economical, and convenient to obtain surgical treatments for weight loss. Several inexpensive and non-surgical methods for losing weight are available in many countries, but they are not guaranteed. Countries like India, on the other hand, offer cost-effective ways of approaching minimally invasive surgical treatments for weight loss.

In India gastric bypass can be performed at the low price of $7,000 with all-inclusive requisites and no waiting time, whereas in the United States and the United Kingdom the same surgery costs more than $18,000, with long waiting lists.

When deciding where to go, patients should always contact a medical tourism company about receiving a complete medical travel package for a seamless and safe journey. This approach also saves time and offers an unbiased opinion about the hospital facilities, physicians, and fair price.

Sai Medical Group, a leading medical tourism company in India and member of the World Medical Tourism Association in the United States, offers a fully inclusive package for out-patients to ensure total comfort and convenience at an affordable price for most treatments.

"As a practice we counsel our patients about our highly-trained doctors and world-class facilities and give them the option of having a telephonic conference with a treating surgeon so they will feel comfortable before traveling,” says Sahni, founder and director SAI Medical Group.

The Sai Medical Group staff speaks fluent English and provides interpreters on request.

Weight loss and bariatric surgeries in India are a safe, affordable alternative to having the procedure done in the United States. By spending just a little time and research, patients can save a lot of money while improving their health – and possibly saving their lives.

JHTH Worldwide, a global health and safety services company, has launched mPassport, a mobile health information tool for global travelers. Subscribers can access mPassport at www.mPassport.com/ mobile on their mobile phones or at www.mPassport.com on their computers.

The mPassport database has over 4,200 qualified English-speaking physicians and dentists in 180 countries and emergency and urgent care facilities for over 1,100 destinations worldwide. The number of Americans traveling overseas is higher than ever—64 million in 2007. mPassport also features other helpful medical tools for travel abroad:

mPassport pricing is subscription-based and costs $9.95 for 30 days, $15.95 for 60 days, and $49.95 for a year. www.hthworldwide.com

Satori World Medical Adds Plastic Surgery Program to Its Growing List of Procedures Available Through Its High-Quality Global Healthcare Network

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Satori World Medical, a global healthcare company specializing in the emerging multi-billion dollar medical tourism industry, today announced the launch of its new Plastic Surgery Program, which includes more than 15 different plastic and reconstructive surgeries through its high-quality, consumer-choice global healthcare network.

The cosmetic and reconstructive procedures being offered through Satori World Medical’s Plastic Surgery Program include abdominoplasty, body contouring, breast augmentation, breast lift, brow lift, face lift, jaw surgery, liposuction, and mandibular reconstruction, as well as other typical reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.

“This program was created after receiving numerous requests from employers and their employees to have direct and easy access to high-quality and affordable physicians and hospitals that provide plastic surgery procedures as part of the Satori Global Network,” said Steven Lash, president & CEO of Satori World Medical. “Whether or not a particular surgical procedure is covered by the patient’s health plan, the average cost for a cosmetic or reconstructive surgical procedure in a U.S. hospital can range anywhere from $12,000 to $30,000. A patient can undergo that same procedure through one of our International Centers of Excellence hospitals for under $10,000 and receive the highest quality medical care available anywhere in the world.”

Through its global network of Board Certified doctors and Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited hospitals, Satori World Medical offers a comprehensive, high-quality, and integrated medical benefit program that reduces the costs of surgical procedures by an average of 44 to 84 percent when compared to the same procedure performed in a U.S. hospital.

The Satori World Medical business model provides a financial incentive for the employer, insurer, and employee to participate in the Satori World Medical benefit program for those surgical procedures covered by the employee's health plan. By electing to undergo a covered surgical procedure through the Satori Global Network™, the employee actually receives a portion of the savings through a tax-advantaged, employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). The HRA funds can then be used toward qualifying medical expenses for the next several years.

Lash explained, “For instance, if a patient is in need of a reconstructive surgery due to a car accident, birth defect, or mastectomy, typically that procedure would be covered under the employee’s health plan. If the Satori Global Network™ is selected for that reconstruction the employee would be eligible to receive a HRA deposit by his or her employer, which would reflect a portion of the savings generated by selecting Satori. On the other hand, an elective cosmetic surgery like a brow lift or tummy tuck would not. But, for any surgical procedures not covered by the employee’s health plan, we can offer patients flexible financing options directly through our program.”

Satori World Medical’s Plastic Surgery Program comprises the best hospitals in the world and highly experienced and Board Certified physicians specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries. These hospitals were all selected following an extensive quality review by Satori’s Quality Assurance team, which included actual on-site due diligence visits by the company’s chief medical officer, Ronald M. Johnson, M.D., F.A.C.S.
The hospitals selected to provide plastic surgery services through the Satori Global Network™ include Hospital Clinica Biblica (San Jose, Costa Rica); Hospital San Jose Tec de Monterrey (Monterrey, Mexico); Preecha Aesthetic Institute (Bangkok, Thailand); and Anadolu Medical Center (Istanbul, Turkey).

Furthermore, whenever a patient selects the Satori Global Network™ for their cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, all medical and travel needs are taken care of by Satori’s highly skilled and caring nurse patient advocates and travel coordinators. This includes ongoing counsel, coordination of all travel and hotel arrangements, transfer of the patient’s medical records, as well as arranging the patient’s follow-up care in the United States. before he or she even leaves the country.

Lash concluded, “The notion of traveling to hospitals outside the United States to save money on plastic or reconstructive surgery is not in itself new. However, what we’re offering through our network -- unlike anywhere else -- is a one-stop shop for top quality reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries, while providing a comprehensive and fully integrated benefit program whereby everyone wins – the employer, payor, as well as the employee.”

About Satori World Medical
Satori World Medical is a payor-supported, employer-sponsored, consumer choice global healthcare network that provides all stakeholders with world-class quality healthcare, excellent service, and significant financial benefit. Satori World Medical is a leader in the globalization of healthcare services through its innovative, patent-pending business and care model, the Health & Shared Wealth Program™, which provides consumer choice for quality medical travel. For more information about Satori World Medical, please call +1 (619) 704-2000 or visit the company’s Web site at http://www.satoriworldmedical.com.

Based just outside Miami, the Krongrad Institute is the first and longest running program for Laparoscopic Prostate Surgery (LRP) in North or South America. The Institute's founder, Arnon Krongrad, M.D., introduced Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Prostate Surgery to the world in 1999. His surgical technique is credited with changing nearly 100 years of medical practice with improved patient safety, ease in recovery, shorter hospital stay, and better medical economics.

As the world’s only private program exclusively devoted to LRP, the Institute takes care of inbound patients from around the globe. Minor procedures are performed in the office while more involved procedures take place in the operating room of one of the major hospitals nearby. All procedures are performed by Dr. Krongrad. The Institute also employs a clinical sexologist and therapist to provide services as needed.

In addition to the Institute's reputation for state-of-the-art care, it also provides amenities that increase patient-appeal. These include no-wait appointments, airport pick-up for luxury packages, and corporate rates at affiliated accommodations, including the Fairmont Turnberry Resort and Hollywood Diplomat Resort.

According to Dr. Krongrad, "(The Institute) draws foreign and domestic patients by word of mouth and payer relationships. Since we introduced laparoscopic radical prostatectomy the 'brand' is very well known." He adds, "We're also very willing to work with foreign and domestic insurers and third party administrators."

Earlier this year Dr. Krongrad launched a new initiative designed to help patients of all paying means receive care. Through Mobile Surgery International (MSI) Krongrad travels with patients to a pre-selected facility outside the United States where they can receive care at a greatly reduced cost. MSI coordinates all necessary arrangements at a cost agreeable to the patient and/or the payer.

MSI currently travels to Trinidad and anticipates expanding to a Latin country soon and possibly as far as the Ukraine and Israel.

Speaking to the Krongrad Institute's patient base, Dr. Krongrad states, "There is a trend to broader and broader geographical distribution for inbound travelers. But with the launch of Mobile Surgery International we may be seeing the start of a trend to our foreign destinations too."

For more on the Krongrad Institute visit http://www.laprp.com/
For more on Mobile Surgery International visit emeseye.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

International Medical Travel Association’s Contribution to “Healthcare Travel Congress” Provides Platform for Global Network and Robust Alliances

June 29-30, 2009, Fairmont Hotel, Singapore -- www.healthcaretravel-singapore.com

Washington, D.C./Singapore – April 15, 2009 – The International Medical Travel Association (IMTA; www.intlmta.org), a leading not-for-profit industry association for medical travel and healthcare globalization, has partnered with Informa Life Sciences in order to hold an opening strategy meeting for IMTA members as part of the “Healthcare Travel Congress” (www.healthcaretravel-singapore.com), June 29-30, 2009, Fairmont Hotel, Singapore. This event provides a global business platform for providers, medical travel professionals, and other stakeholders to network and establish new partnerships with key decision makers from around the world.

“This is a robust opportunity for all stakeholders to expand their networks, take a true leadership position in the globalization of healthcare, and drive credibility for the industry,” says Ruben Toral, president of IMTA and CEO of Mednet Asia Ltd. “By working together on a global basis, this association will be able to address key core issues – liability, continuity of care, and quality. We expect to impact worldwide medical travel and drive further adoption.”

The Congress features more than 30 speakers from leading hospitals, clinics, government, accreditation bodies, and healthcare facilitators, plus more than 10 leading healthcare travel case studies. Interactive panel discussions between key players in the healthcare travel value chain, dedicated streams on healthcare marketing and patient care, interactive workshops on legal liabilities and healthcare marketing, and a dedicated healthcare travel exhibition are designed to inform and entertain attendees.The Congress features more than 30 CEOs and industry luminaries, including:

Tan Ser Kiat, Group CEO, Singhealth, Singapore
Tyrone Goh, M.D., executive director, National Healthcare Group, Singapore
Brent Phillips, international administrator, Mayo Clinic, United States
Kamaljeet Singh Gill, chief marketing officer, Corporate Marketing (Global) Parkway Group Healthcare, Pte Ltd, Singapore
Ayesha Abdullah, M.D., CEO, Dubai Healthcare City, United Arab Emirates
Surapong Ambhanwong, M.D., chief medical and international business officer, Phyathai Hospitals Group, Thailand
Vishal Bali, CEO, Wockhardt Hospitals Group, India
Jorge Cortes, M.D., Rodriguez medical director, Hospital Clinica Biblica, Costa Rica
Anil Maini, president, Corporate Strategy, Apollo Hospitals Group, India
Josef Woodman, author, Patients Without Borders, United States
Jason Yap, M.D., director of Marketing, Raffles Medical Group, Singapore
Wu Ming Yen, CEO, Taiwan Task Force for Medical Travel, Taiwan
Nellie Yeo, consultant, Joint Commission International and chief quality officer, National Healthcare Group, Singapore
Claudia Mika, M.D., president, Telemedicine for the Mobile Society (TEMOS), Germany
Ming-Keng Toh, M.D., head of Medical Services, Asia Medical Protection Society, United Kingdom
Steve Green, M.D., director, Trent Acceditation, United Kingdom
Ruben Toral, president, International Medical Travel Association, Thailand, and founder, Mednet Asia
Zahid Hamid, managing director, Euromedical Tours, United Kingdom
John Linss, CEO, Medicaview International, United States
Wouter Hoeberechts, CEO, Worldmed Assist, United States
Philipe Barrault, M.D., group managing director, Asia International SOS, Singapore
Sanjiv Malik, secretary, Health Media Centre, India

The Congress will also feature:

Travel Day -- June 29, 2009: An introduction to healthcare travel designed specifically for travel agents, hotels, and medical spas Health Insurance Conference -- June 29-30, 2009 Consumer Healthcare Summit -- June 28, 2009
Healthcare Travel Exhibition -- June 28-30, 2009, featuring Patrick Marsek, managing director of Med Retreat (U.S.), and Kenneth Mays, director of marketing, Bumrungrad International (Thailand).

Additionally, the Congress will host the first 2009 International Medical Travel Association Strategy Meeting. Membership in the organization is required for attendance which can be arranged at www.intlmta.org.“With consumers, employers, health plans, and other payers looking beyond their own borders for better value, medical travel is a growth industry,” Toral adds. “Not only is medical travel a cost effective option, but in many cases it is also a better one, especially for the uninsured and the underinsured living in the United States.”

About the IMTA
The International Medical Travel Association is a global organization of stakeholders in the international medical travel industry, representing leading healthcare providers, medical travel facilitators and related industry service providers worldwide. IMTA supports the development of international industry standards and best practices that promote and advance medical quality, safety, and transparency for the international patient, and that preserve and protect the doctor-patient relationship. IMTA, www.intlmta.org, is a not-for-profit association funded by membership dues and programs.

Informa Life Sciences
The Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress in Singapore is part of a global series organized by Informa Life Sciences, the world’s leader in providing quality exhibitions, conferences and publications for the life science and healthcare industry. The Healthcare Travel Exhibition and Congress is recognized as the global business platform for medical travel professionals to network and establish new partnerships and is held annually in Asia and the Middle East.

Informa Life Sciences lead the market in providing quality, expert-led conferences; delivering the expert knowledge our clients need to excel in their professional roles and guaranteeing a competitive advantage for their organizations. Our diverse portfolio includes Healthcare, Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices and Diagnostics and internationally renowned events include Healthcare Travel, Arab Health, Hospital Build and Aesthetics Asia.

Date Set for Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress: June 28-30, 2009

Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress 2008 is a groundbreaking platform bringing together macro level decision makers on healthcare policy with payees of medical travel, specialized medical suppliers, travel providers, medical facilities and representatives from major medical tourism destinations all under one roof making this exhibition and congress truly representative of the total international medical travel industry.

Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress 2008, under the guiding theme of “the Globalisation of Healthcare”, brings together the entire cluster involved in medical travel at one specific event that is dedicated to the development of this growing sector. Medical Travel professionals to interact on a variety of business platforms:

A world-class conference streaming across multiple sectors
Exclusive networking opportunities made possible through innovative corporate match making
Global exhibition, showcasing all segments of this exciting industry

For more information please visit: http://healthcaretravel-singapore.com/

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau to Sponsor the 2009 World Medical Health Tourism Conference in Phuket

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is set to sponsor the World Medical Health Tourism Conference: A New Way Forward, which will be held in Phuket, Thailand, September 2009. TCEB’s participation and sponsorship in this internationally diverse networking event will aim to promote Thailand on an international scale as a medical tourism destination and a preferred venue for international meeting, incentive, convention, and exhibition (MICE) events. The whole of Phuket Island is getting behind the conference, which will cater to more than 1,200 delegates. Local supporters range from local community groups, tourism operators, and many of the major hoteliers and resort owners, namely Woraburi Phuket Resort, Millennium Resort Patong, The Moevenpick Resort, Karon Beach Resort of Kata Group, Aquamarine Resort, Cape Panwa Hotel, and Andaman Seaview Hotel group.

Phuket, dubbed as the medical tourism hub in Asia, is the ideal location to hold the conference because of its infrastructure, capacity to host a massive number of international guests, and the availability of cutting-edge technology and internationally trained medical experts manning their world-class medical facilities. Sometime within the next month the floor plan or layout for exhibitors at the venue, Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, will be published online and application forms will be available for the exhibitors to download from the Web site. Many pre-conference and post-conference activities have been planned for the conference, which early estimates expect to bring a windfall to Phuket of about $10 million over the two-week period.

Interested parties are advised to visit the conference website: www.sosmedicaltourism.com for more information.

Alternatively, for more information call + (66)76-289-800, to request a printable registration brochure by email sosmedical@sosmedicaltourism.com or sosmedical@ymail.com

The Malta Medical Tourism Summit
July 13-14, 2009 Hilton Hotel, St Julian’s, Malta

As part of our growing portfolio of strategic business events, The Europe Business Assembly is proud to present The Malta Medical Tourism Summit, which will be held at the Hilton Hotel, Malta on the 13th and 14th July 2009. Medical Tourism Worldwide medical tourism has grown over recent years beyond all expectations and is entering a new phase where key issues and questions are being raised not only by the traveling patients but also by government health ministries, public and private hospitals, facilitators, medical organizations, international corporations, and insurance companies all over the world.

A Forum for Learning and Debate At the Malta Medical Tourism Summit over 130 senior level delegates will listen to an international panel of expert speakers who will be sharing their thoughts and experiences on topics such as:

What are the structures and dynamics of the current medical tourism marketplace? How should medical tourism be marketed and what can be done to improve the image? Implementing cross border health care collaborations Who or what currently regulates medical tourism and what are the risks involved to patients, facilitators, and hospitals? Who bears the cost of malpractice or complications? The costs and processes of accreditation. How do accreditation companies differ?
What is the future for medical tourism in the current economic climate?

At the conference sessions and panel discussions, delegates are encouraged to participate in open debate and an exchange of ideas and viewpoints will be welcomed.

Networking and Collaboration The Summit will also provide an outstanding opportunity to network with representatives from within the industry including medical tourism facilitators and travel agencies, private and public hospitals, clinics, medical organizations and associations, tourism ministries and promotion boards, health and travel insurance providers, hotels and resorts with special health facilities, government health ministries, spas and aftercare facilities, and global corporations seeking advice on the implementation of company health schemes. The exhibition area will provide the networking and meeting point with all refreshment breaks and lunches taking place here.

What to do next View the conference agenda and our international panel of speakers For delegate registration or for more information please contact us directly on +44 (0) 1865 794 362 or by email at steve.hambrook@ebaoxford.co.uk

Further information can also be found on the Summit website.

We look forward to welcoming you to Malta!
Kindest regards,
Steve Hambrook

Conference Director
The Malta Medical Tourism Congress
Email address steve.hambrook@ebaoxford.co.uk
Tel +44 (0) 1865 794 362

Sponsors and Exhibitors A limited number of exhibition stands and sponsorship opportunities are still available. I will work with you to build a tailor-made package that gives maximum exposure and branding and suits your budget. Our packages can include exhibition stands, sponsorship and branding at the summit, private meetings with your choice of delegates, presentations on the conference agenda, and pre- and post-event marketing and branding through our Website and database.

Date Set for Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress in Dubai: October 27-29, 2009

With the healthcare travel industry poised to play an important part in Dubai's growth strategy, the Institute for International Research (IIR) Middle East, the organizers of the first medical tourism conference in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which concluded in Dubai, recently have reported high levels of interest from a potentially huge international market.

"Research unveiled at the event indicated a global market of around two million medical travelers a year and an industry constrained by hospital capacity and lack of consumer familiarity with medical travel," says Sietske Meerloo, marketing manager at IIR Middle East and organizer of Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress. IIR Middle East is also the organizer of the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress, the region's premier event for Middle East healthcare that takes place in Dubai 27-29, October, 2009.

“Large numbers of hospitals and clinics around the world are attempting to tailor their health services to cater to medical tourists," Meerloo added. "Several major insurance companies offer a travel component in their policies, and governments are looking closely at policies to take account of the trend."

The health care event was officially opened by Haidar Al Yousuf, M.D., transition director at the Dubai Health Authority, who highlighted the importance the Authority is placing on the future of medical tourism.

"As we look to develop our domestic health strategy, we also want to develop a joint strategy with our colleagues in the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), for the future of health tourism in Dubai," says Dr. Al Yousuf. "The health care sector in Dubai will become an increasingly attractive place for international health care investors, providers, services, facilities, and other health care professionals."

PlanetHospital, a California-based leader in medical tourism, used the event as a platform to announce the official opening of its Jeddah Saudi Arabia office to serve inbound and outbound medical tourists from the Arabian Gulf region.

"The Gulf has the potential to drive growth in medical tourism," says Mohammed Alarifi, managing director for the new operation. "It is not only a destination from where patients seek medical care abroad but is also becoming a medical tourism destination itself thanks to major hospital developments throughout the region."

The American Hospital Dubai also had high visibility at the event. There was "a lot of exchange of experience among colleagues from around the world," says Naser Saleh, director of marketing and sales. “On the conference side, the sessions were very informative."

Gary Miller, CEO of Health Travel TV, says the event had been important for them. "We have a unique product, and we’re the only broadcast media here dedicated to this area. I’m coming back to Arab Health in January."

Organized in association with the International Medical Travel Association, the Healthcare Travel Exhibition and Congress was supported by the UAE Ministry of Health and the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi. Platinum sponsors were Singapore Medicine. Gold sponsors were the American Hospital Dubai and Dubai Health Authority. For details about Arab Health events, please visit: www.arabhealthonline.com

SITUATIONS WANTED:

International Patient Development in your Country – Medical Tourism

With present economic down turn I would like to offer my skills and global experience to develop much needed healthcare business.
I am sure my experience in medical tourism will provide original strategy as I come from the other side of the world.

Now is the perfect time to participate in global healthcare which is the world's second largest industry.

I would like to know if I can bring my successful career to work for your organisation to develop international business.

For further information visit www.surgeryexpress.com or contact me at as@surgeryexpress.com

JOBS:

Director of Quality Improvement

As the Director of Quality Improvement, you will be responsible for the planning, developing and directing QI functions. Provide leadership, management and supervision of the QI Department operations and staff. Ensure quality of healthcare services rendered meets or exceed professionally recognized standards. Develop and implement measures and controls to achieve company's goals.

Requirements:
BSN/BS/BA Degree in Healthcare related field. Master's Degree in Healthcare a PLUS
QI experience – min. 5 years; Managed Healthcare – min. 5 years.
Knowledge of NCQA standards.
Medicaid experience – min. 2 years.
Management Experience – min. 5 years.
Knowledge of applicable state, federal and third party regulations with special emphasis on Medi-Cal Managed Care.
Excellent communication skills.
Proficiency with computer information systems and software.
Strong analytical and problem solving skills.

Salary is commensurate with experience.
Located in Jackson, MS, USA.

For consideration, please forward your CV w/salary requirements to vvanover@headwaycorp.com or apply at www.headwaycorp.com/jobs

EEO/AA/M/F/V/D

To submit your job posting or a description of your desired position to ahaar@cpronline.com. Please keep text to 100 words or less.